While this is awesome there is no mold. I have been running rapid prototyping machines (3D printers) for years, and I can tell from those photos that entire figure was run on an Objet machine made out of Fullcure 720 resin. They printed it straight from a 3D CAD computer file. Very cool but be aware that the resins used on 3D printers will loose strength with age, and any exposure to UV light will brown them if they are not painted. So while it looks cool and transparent now, if you leave it on a shelf in a well lit room it will look like it baked in the oven too long.

My question is (since I'm trying to do something similar in the future - NOT Drift, I mean) - how does releasing such a toy work? Do you have to pay royalties to Hasbro/IDW, do you need to buy their approval, etc...?

My question is (since I'm trying to do something similar in the future - NOT Drift, I mean) - how does releasing such a toy work? Do you have to pay royalties to Hasbro/IDW, do you need to buy their approval, etc...?

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yes in japan the garage kit creators / companies buy a license from takara which allows you to sell it on one particular day....i'm not sure about north america

My question is (since I'm trying to do something similar in the future - NOT Drift, I mean) - how does releasing such a toy work? Do you have to pay royalties to Hasbro/IDW, do you need to buy their approval, etc...?

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These groups do these unofficially and do not contact Hasbro for permission. Some groups will not put trademarked names or symbols on their products to help avoid legal issues with Hasbro. But at the end of the day, Hasbro can come after them if wanted, but its probably not worth it for them, especially for the low run these fan groups make their products, since its no where near mass production numbers.

These groups do these unofficially and do not contact Hasbro for permission. Some groups will not put trademarked names or symbols on their products to help avoid legal issues with Hasbro. But at the end of the day, Hasbro can come after them if wanted, but its probably not worth it for them, especially for the low run these fan groups make their products, since its no where near mass production numbers.

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Thanks for all the answers, both of you! A friend and I will be doing some accessories (and maybe full Animated-style toys later) but due to are access to a 3D printer being limited it will most likely be just a limited edition anyway.

I was thinking of stuff like the WST Dinobots - I understand they market them as "Dinobot Commander" instead of "Grimlock" but otherwise even the packaging screams G1 TF.